Speeches

Public Presentation Of Naija Navigator

Oct 28, 2008 - I am delighted to be here today at the public presentation of Naija Navigator, an innovative Satellite technology for street navigation, by Toroseda Technology Consulting Nigeria Limited.

I find the presentation timely and apt at a period when the challenges of modern day governance require the cooperation and participation of stakeholders in the delivery of facilities and amenities to the people.

Modern day governance, particularly in urbanized setting is becoming more electronic by the passing of the day as advances in information technology grow geometrically in direct proportion to the pressing and challenges issues of social and economic development. I am pleased to note that the use of satellite Navigation will assist greatly in the traffic management efforts on our roads in Nigeria.

Probably one of the most technically challenging jobs in Nigeria today is traffic management. Why? Because road is the most developed and preferred means of transportation in the country. This makes road very vital to the economy and social well-being of our country and people with serious implication leading to stress and related health challenges, traffic snarls, man-hour loss and accidents. Available data has shown that among the three means of transportation, water, air and road, the latter indeed accounts for eighty percent (80%) of trade and movements in the country.

The introduction of Naija Navigator will be a welcome relief to the communities in both the commercial and private commuters. In fact the Lagos State government is particularly pleased that the state is the first beneficiary in the public presentation of the product just as it will in all, probably, present the highest vehicular density of 222 vehicles per Kilometre in the country.

Naija Navigator therefore will play a significant role in our desire for strategic road traffic management approach that is dynamic in conception and flexible in operation. For one, the product is user friendly and cost effective. Also, it is highly educative particularly in the area of providing information on the geography and social landscape of the city. More importantly, the Naija Navigator has a promotional value. Tourists and first time visitor to a location will find it handy and self-reassuring in the navigation of otherwise strange and unfamiliar terrains.

Once again, I want to congratulate the management of Toroseda Technology Consulting Limited for this thoughtful and innovation presentation. Your effort is a practical demonstration of private initiative which the Lagos State government has always identified with in the operation of its Public-Private Partnership Initiative through which the Private sector has participated and collaborated with in the implementation of social and economic infrastructure to enhance the people’s welfare. Our doors are open and we are for partnership on the platform of our PPP initiative.

I wish to use this occasion to assure all our partners and good people of Lagos that our goal is to use every initiative, every policy, and every project to deliver the dividends of democracy as we promised.

I congratulate the management of Toroseda technology Consulting on this noble initiative and wish you greater success in all your endeavour to add value to our economy and make life easier for our people.

I thank you all for listening.

“Eko O ni baje!”

Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN
Governor of Lagos State